Apple's hotly anticipated "iWatch" may be introduced to the public sooner than expected, with a new report claiming the device will be formally unveiled at an anticipated Sept. 9 event, where the next-generation iPhone is also expected to debut.

The date was revealed on Wednesday by the well-connected John Paczkowski of Re/code, who referred to the device as a "new wearable" that will be worn on the user's wrist. He also reaffirmed claims that the device will tap into the new HealthKit and HomeKit functions of Apple's forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system update.

Paczkowski had previously reported in June that the "iWatch" event would be held in October, but said on Wednesday that plans appear to have changed recently. He still expects that the company will hold an October event, presumably to introduce its fall lineup of iPads.

"With its best product pipeline in 25 years, Apple should have more than enough hardware to fill two events," he said.

Previously, Apple pundit John Gruber had stirred up hope of a September event with an offhand comment he had made earlier this month, suggesting that a "wearable thing" from the company could debut before the much-hyped Motorola Moto 360 smart watch. But Gruber later clarified that his comments were intended as a "joke" and were not based on any inside information.

Paczkowski was also the first to report that Apple is planning a Sept. 9 event, where the company is expected to introduce its new iPhone lineup in two screen sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches. That date is still unconfirmed, however, as Apple typically waits until about one week before an event before sending invitations to members of the press.

AppleInsider was first to discover an Apple patent filing describing a watch design with flexible display.

Word of the September unveiling comes after a series of reports suggested that the wrist-worn device is facing production issues and could be delayed. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has said that Apple may be forced to delay the launch of the product until 2015.

Of course, a Sept. 9 unveiling could go either way: Apple could unveil the product but launch at a much later date --?as it did in 2013 when the Mac Pro launched more than six months after it was teased at the Worldwide Developers Conference. Or the company could be planning a September unveiling with plans to get the new device onto users' wrists in time for the holiday 2014 shopping season.

Apple's wrist-worn device is expected to focus on health and fitness tracking, measuring and analyzing a user's activity and heart rate and other bio-feedback. That data could be utilized by the new Health app found in iOS 8.

As for the "iWatch" hardware itself, little is known and thus far no parts have leaked. Some rumors have suggested Apple will utilize a flexible OLED display for a more form-fitting design, while some suspect the company could use sapphire to protect the screen from scratches.

Still other reports have claimed that Apple will offer the "iWatch" in two sizes, intended for both men and women. Kuo has said he believes Apple will utilize AMOLED touchscreens sized at 1.3 and 1.5 inches, while other reports have claimed even larger displays of 2.5 inches.

It would make sense IF AAPL has finalized the design and concept. They aren't interfering with any of their own existing products or lines of business, just building anticipation with an early release.

I want this too debut with advanced health monitoring capabilities, something beyond a pedometer and heart rate monitor. That would get me to wear a watch again. The Android Wear devices coming this year are stylish products (the round ones that haven't debuted yet anyway) but they don't make me want to bear the admittedly small burden of wearing a watch. The watch would also have to be Android-compatible, but I know that's a long shot.

No, I don't really expect that. I just hope whatever the "wearable" turns out to be is vastly different from the two artistic renderings we've seen for months and months here and elsewhere, and which are part of the above article!

Exciting newmours. It would make sense to launch it prematurely this time, since the industry is cookig with "smart watches", and people are starting to buy them. Also, the health app will look mysteriously empty without its device. I hope it's flexible, and that it snugs into place with a design that doesn't scream LOOK AT MY WRIST, I'VE GOT AN iWATCH!

And about non leaks. Perhaps it's being built an assembled in Apple's own facilities on home turf?

I don't care when Apple decides to unveil their next iOS device to the public as long as they are absolutely sure that it is ready. Tim Cook cannot reside over a dud at this point. His entire legacy will be tarnished.

The Mac Pro was made in the US by well paid, professional, grown ups, not underpaid Chinese teenagers with questionable ethics who steal parts.

I would love to learn that the iWatch is being made in the US, but probably not likely.

I will reserve judgement until I see it but it would take a lot to convince me to wear a watch.

Nothing is going to scream fanboy like an iWatch.

its probably hard for many of us to imagine, but think back to before 2007...before MacWorld when Steve announced iPhone. How many people really said they wanted a smartphone in their pocket? Yes, I'm sure there were more than a few who did, but I bet not as many as there are today. I know for one, my dad probably thought it would be a cold day in hell before he had a touchscreen smartphone in his pocket.

So I can kinda see that maybe Apple will create a market like they did with iPhone. Many of us don't see an iWatch as being useful or necessary for them, but like I said, I think there's a large majority of everyone that never thought a smartphone was necessary either before 2007.

I wonder if maybe there'll be a band you wear all the time with no UI - just a small battery and sensors that record data, and then you clip on a square iPod nano that interfaces with it and presents the UI as just another app (or your iOS device interfaces with it for the same). That would be an interesting turn - works with iPod, iPhone, and iPad (and probably Mac as well) - all via low power bluetooth.

You did not come into the world to fail. You came into the world to succeed.

No way apple will dilute the attention of the world by announcing them together!
Apple will keep the focus on each product in its own exclusive event !

Well...maybe. I can also see Cook doing this in a (albeit very different style) "just one more thing" kind of way. I'm reasonably sure he wouldn't dilute a Jobs-ism, but I can see AAPL going at iWatch/iTime as another "hobby." Something like: "we changed the world with Macintosh, iPod/iTunes, iPhone and iPad. But the intersection of technology and liberal arts is a wide city square, and there is room to have a little fun along the way. AppleTV helps bring all your mobile devices to where you want them, and here's another option. Hope you have as much fun with it as we do with Jonny Ive's chili stirring spoons made of aluminium and diamond cut champford edges..."

Hey, AI went apesh!t when they "thought" that Gruber had "confirmed" the iWatch a few weeks back. Everybody thought he was a mouthpiece for Apple since he would only make such comments with Apple's approval.

That being said, you're probably right. I'm just excited to see the damn thing.

The stock has been on a tear -- witness today's move, for instance -- in large part based on this rumor. I hope Sep 9 does not disappoint: if no watch (or some other new product category), there could be a pretty hard landing.....

The stock has been on a tear -- witness today's move, for instance -- in large part based on this rumor. I hope Sep 9 does not disappoint: if no watch (or some other new product category), there could be a pretty hard landing.....

Expect an irrational reaction from Wall Street no matter what happens. You know this. They're not married to stocks, they seek profits at any cost.

The parts leak during the production ramp up where there rare so many from multiple vendors moving around the supply chain. If they are announcing it with a much later ship date, then they can control the components enough for the early prototypes to prevent leaks. Since it is likely to be a hardware platform for developers to use, announcing it early with SDKs is the best route. Then if parts leak during production ramp up it doesn't really matter as the device and basic specs will have already been announced. It is Ok for them to announce it early as it won't stall sales of a current product. This is similar to what they did with the Pro, but they couldn't really stall Pro sells any more than they were with such an old system. They also pre-announced the new iMac which did stall sales some, but did let them show off the new system before supply chain leakers. The best example of this was the original iPhone. They announced it, were able to surprise people, and gave themselves enough time to build them after the announcement.